Two of my daughters have been skydiving. A friend skydives almost every weekend, with a total of over 700 jumps to date. The thought of leaping out of an airplane scares me to death. What if the parachute doesn't open? What if you forget when to pull the cord to release it? There are rules and regulations to assure the best outcome when jumping. An experienced instructor teaches you about the equipment so you understand everything about the huge thing strapped to your back. And, you listen very carefully, right? You don't want to plunge 100 mph to your death! I am not an adrenaline junky in any way, shape or form. But ask anyone to describe the experience and they will tell you it's liberating. One minute of pure heaven . . . a leap of faith.
Isn't belief in God like skydiving? We need Christ, priests, and pastors (instructors) to guide and teach us about the Bible (equipment) so we are ready for the day we are called to heaven (the jump). Take a leap of faith. Overcome fears. Start implementing those rules and regulations daily knowing the Great Instructor wants us to arrive safe and sound. Believe.
The Gospel reading today (Luke 11:14-23) leaves me with this thought . . . Jesus is and was one patient, focused Man:
Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, "By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons." Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."
Anne a lay apostle encourages us to overcome negativity and remain connected to each other in her book Staying in Place:
"If I believe in God, then I must accept that at times I am acting outside of His will. I must be interested in His pain at any separation from me that He experiences from these actions. Humanity being what it is, I must be encouraged to acknowledge these ruptures in relationship and set about healing and forgiving myself through the acceptance of responsibility. I must remain open to experiencing the sorrow that this causes both of us, meaning self and God. We, working together in relationship, overcome the negative actions and Jesus brings about healing for us. The beauty of this is the humble and contrite spirit that comes after this process. If we contemplate the mind of God in all of the areas of our lives, we will begin to allow God access to every corner and then something wonderful will occur."
I would like to end with a great quote from one of my favorite saints, St. Therese, the Little Flower:
Many people say, "I don't have the courage to make this sacrifice." Let them do what I did: exert a great effort. God never refuses that first grace which gives one the courage to act; afterwards the heart is strengthened.
Thank you, Lord, for all the lessons/Scriptures You have given us to overcome anything . . . please give me excellent recall of those lessons when I am confronted!
God bless,
Bonnie
Isn't belief in God like skydiving? We need Christ, priests, and pastors (instructors) to guide and teach us about the Bible (equipment) so we are ready for the day we are called to heaven (the jump). Take a leap of faith. Overcome fears. Start implementing those rules and regulations daily knowing the Great Instructor wants us to arrive safe and sound. Believe.
The Gospel reading today (Luke 11:14-23) leaves me with this thought . . . Jesus is and was one patient, focused Man:
Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, "By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons." Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."
Anne a lay apostle encourages us to overcome negativity and remain connected to each other in her book Staying in Place:
"If I believe in God, then I must accept that at times I am acting outside of His will. I must be interested in His pain at any separation from me that He experiences from these actions. Humanity being what it is, I must be encouraged to acknowledge these ruptures in relationship and set about healing and forgiving myself through the acceptance of responsibility. I must remain open to experiencing the sorrow that this causes both of us, meaning self and God. We, working together in relationship, overcome the negative actions and Jesus brings about healing for us. The beauty of this is the humble and contrite spirit that comes after this process. If we contemplate the mind of God in all of the areas of our lives, we will begin to allow God access to every corner and then something wonderful will occur."
I would like to end with a great quote from one of my favorite saints, St. Therese, the Little Flower:
Many people say, "I don't have the courage to make this sacrifice." Let them do what I did: exert a great effort. God never refuses that first grace which gives one the courage to act; afterwards the heart is strengthened.
Thank you, Lord, for all the lessons/Scriptures You have given us to overcome anything . . . please give me excellent recall of those lessons when I am confronted!
God bless,
Bonnie
No comments:
Post a Comment